Pupils in Mayfield get to the heart of the problem

Mayfield's Got Talent, at Mayfield Primary School

Pupils from two primary schools in Mayfield have been busy raising money to buy life-saving equipment.

Earlier this year the Advertiser launched a campaign to encourage more local organisations to purchase defibrillator machines. Since then we have been reporting on the fundraising efforts of a host of groups, including local Junior football clubs Arniston Rangers and Newtongrange Star.

Now with the support of Claire Gately, the sister in law of Boyzone star Stephen Gately - who died from a heart condition aged 33 in 2009 -St Luke’s and Mayfield Primary Schools at the Mayfield Campus have been holding special fundraising events to buy the vital equipment, which costs £1,300.

Last week Mayfield Primary School held its ‘Mayfield’s Got Talent’ final to raise money for the school to buy a defibrillator machine.

Headteacher Jo McFarlane said: “It was absolutely tremendous, a huge celebration of the children’s talent, but at the same time we were very mindful of the fact that we were raising money through our raffle for a vital piece of equipment. Something that will support our community.

“The pupils were brilliant, we have got some fantastic stars in our school. If they are not on Britain’s Got Talent very soon I would be very surprised.

“We had rappers, hula hoopers, dancers, singers, the lot. It was wonderful. They made their headteacher very proud.

“And I have to thank everybody for their support in trying to raise funds for a defibrillator.”

So far Mayfield Primary School has raised £202 for the fund with their Mayfield’s Got Talent show and Red Raffle - which will be drawn on Friday at their Celebration Assembly. Tickets for this raffle are still on sale at the School office £1 each. The school plans to continue fundraising after the summer holidays.

A week before Mayfield’s Got Talent, neighbouring St Luke’s Primary School held a sports day ‘Heartathon’ to raise funds for a defibrillator machine. So far the school has raised around £1,000 towards purchasing a defibrillator machine to be used by the school and the adjoining Mayfield Library.